Slider for zip fasteners

ABSTRACT

A slider for zip fasteners is disclosed for opening and closing the opposed tape stringers of the fastener, which slider having an elongated pull tab disposed for universal movement relative to the slider body. A link assembly couples the pull tab to the slider body which assembly comprises eyelet link elements movably connected to a socket.

United States Patent Asai [ Feb. 15, 1972 [54] SLIDER FOR ZIP FASTENERS [72] Inventor: Hidekazu Asai, Uozu, Japan [73] Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo Kabushlki Kaisha, Tokyo,

Japan [22] Filed: Dec. 2, 1970 211 Appl. No.: 94,437

[52] US. Cl. ..24/205.1 5 H, 287/91 [51] Int. Cl. ..A44b 19/26 [58] Field of Search ..24/205. 1 5 H; 287/91 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 721,483 2/1903 Wells ..287/9l 2,096,680 10/1937 Gilmore ..24/205. l 5 H FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 531,776 8/ 1939 Great Britain ..24/205.l5 H

Primary Examiner-Remind A. Gelak Attorney- Linton & Linton {57] ABSTRACT A slider for zip fasteners is disclosed for opening and closing the opposed tape stringers of the fastener, which slider having an elongated pull tab disposed for universal movement relative to the slider body. A link assembly couples the pull tab to the slider body which assembly comprises eyelet link elements movably connected to a socket.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB 16 ran- 3.641.634

SHEET 1 0F 2 INVENTOR HIDEKAZU A AI ATTORNEY$ PATENTEDFEB I 5 I972 3. 641.834

' sum 2 or 2 FIG.2

INVENTOR ATTORNEY SLIDER FOR ZIP FASTENERS This invention relates to a slider for zip fasteners and more particularly to a slider assembly having its pull tab disposed for free random movement.

Numerous types of slider have been proposed for opening and closing a zip fastener. The majority of known'sliders are constructed with a pull tab directly connected to a slider body so that the pull tab is allowed to move pivotally only in the longitudinal direction of the fastener. A difficulty has been experienced therefore in operating such sliders especially where the fastener is attached to a curved or otherwise deformed object, or to such locations in a garment as at the back remote to normal reach of the user.

Whereas, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved slider of the type which is capable of free random movement of the pull tab and which is operable with utmost ease regardless of the position of the pull tab.

This and other objects and features of the invention will appear from the following description taken with the accompanying drawings which forms a part thereof and will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a magnified perspective view of a preferred form of a slider according to the invention shown as applied to a conventional form of zip fastener having rows of interlocking fastener elements; 1

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of a linkage connecting between the pull tab and the slider body; and

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the slider utilized to explain one mode of operation thereof.

As shown in the drawing, the improved slider of the invention generally designated 10 comprises a slider body 11 of conventional form, a pull tab 12 and a link assembly 13 conneeting therebetween. The pull tab 12 is generally elongated a sufficient length to allow easy gripping and to guide the slider smoothly into the center 'of its longitudinal movement in a manner later described. The pull tab 12 has a tapered end 14 at which there is provided an opening or eyelet l transverse of the pull tab.

The link assembly 13 comprises a socket l6 and a pair of link elements l7, l7 movably connected to opposite ends of the socket. In the preferred embodiment presently shown, the socket 16 is cylindrical and provided at each end with a reduced end opening 18, assuming a generally oval configuration. Each link element 17 consists of a loop 19, a converged gaged in-the eyelet I5 of the straight leg 20 and an enlarged head 21 (cross-sectionally shown in FIG. 2). The first link 17 has its loop movably enpull tab 12 and its enlarged head 21 disposed in the socket 16 for free rotation with the integral leg 20 which is axially movably through the reduced end opening 18 of the socket 16. The second link 17' has its loop 19 movably engaged in a connecting lug 22 projecting from the slider body 11 and its enlarged head 21' disposed in the socket 16 in a manner similar to the head 21 of the first link 17.

With this construction, the pull tab 12 is allowed to move practically in all directions through the loop-and-eyelet joints 23, 23, through free rotation of the links 19, I9 and through axial movement of the legs 20, 20'. This arrangement permits the slider to be operated with maximum ease regardless of the random position of the pull tab 12 which may be easily oriented to guide and lead the slider body 11 correctly into the center of its longitudinal movement. FIG. 3 illustrates one typical instance in which the pull tab 12 is oriented transversely across the fastener F and in this position can guide the slider body 11 in a direction registering with the center of its movement to close and/or open the fastener as indicated by an arrow. Designated at T is a pair of stringer tapes carrying rows of interlocking fastener elements E.

Having thus described the invention, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the specific form and construction herein presented, without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: 1. A slider for zip fasteners which comprises a slider body having a connecting lug projecting therefrom, an elongated pull tab having a tapered end provided with an eyelet, a socket member having at each end a reduced opening, and a pair of intermediate links each consisting of a loop, a straight leg and an enlarged head, one of said intermediate links having its loop movably engaged in said eyelet and its enlarged head movably disposed in the opening of said socket, and the other intennediate link having its loop movably engaged in said lug and its enlarged head movably disposed in the opposite end of said socket.

2. The slider as claimed in claim 1 wherein said socket has an oval configuration.

3. The slide! as claimed in claim 1 wherein said eyelet is formed transversely of the pull tab.

4. The slider as claimed in claim 1 head is integral with said leg of the link.

i t t l wherein said enlarged 

1. A slider for zip fasteners which comprises a slider body having a connecting lug projecting therefrom, an elongated pull tab having a tapered end provided with an eyelet, a socket member having at each end a reduced opening, and a pair of intermediate links each consisting of a loop, a straight leg and an enlarged head, one of said intermediate links having its loop movably engaged in said eyelet and its enlarged head movably disposed in the opening of said socket, and the other intermediate link having its loop movably engaged in said lug and its enlarged head movably disposed in the opposite end of said socket.
 2. The slider as claimed in claim 1 wherein said socket has an oval configuration.
 3. The slider as claimed in claim 1 wherein said eyelet is formed transversely of the pull tab.
 4. The slider as claimed in claim 1 wherein said enlarged head is integral with said leg of the link. 